Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for digestive / intestinal tract disorder, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer due to radiation exposure. The AOJ is instructed to consider all evidence added since the January 2020 Statement of the Case.

This decision is remanded for several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The Veteran's coronary artery disease, COPD, and erectile dysfunction are all being reviewed for increased ratings or service connection. Additionally, his entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ and TDIU prior to October 26, 2017, is also remanded.,An examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, considering both military service exposure and post-service occupational exposures. The cause of his erectile dysfunction must be considered in light of his current medications.

The Veteran's SMC claim for aid and attendance or housebound benefits is remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination to evaluate his current condition related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection. The neck, right hip, left ankle, heart, kidney, head trauma, and seizures disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that new and material evidence does not establish an in-service injury or disease. The current knee condition is also not related to service.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disability cannot be established as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or event leading to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease are remanded due to the need to determine if he served within 12 nautical miles from Vietnam shores during his service aboard USS Okinawa. The claims for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression) also require additional development.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder is remanded as the Veteran needs to confirm his report of exposure to burning feces in service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability claim requires further examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for painful surgical scars associated with ischemic heart disease status post CABG from February 7, 2006 through November 18, 2015 is granted. The higher initial ratings requested are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease (CAD), and TDIU due to the Veteran's multiple other major risk factors for CAD outweighing his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted as service-connected, while his left shoulder, right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) was denied. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, status post stent, as well as his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, diabetes, varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities, and deep venous thrombosis are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), both related to herbicide agent exposure, is granted. The issue of service connection for BPH remains in remand status.

The Veteran's right knee, left knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities have been granted a 100% evaluation for the period from August 7, 2018 to August 7, 2019. The Veteran's initial evaluations for his bilateral knee and hip disabilities remain in appellate status.,The Veteran's DMII and CAD are remanded issues as they may be secondary to his service-connected knee, hip, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on left knee and total knee disabilities, as well as a compensable rating for residual scar, have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for heart disability has been denied due to lack of evidence of herbicide agent exposure. The appeal for service connection for lung disability is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, skin disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and leg stents are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for valvular heart disease and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The case is remanded to determine if other cardiac disabilities are secondary to the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current disabilities.,For ischemic heart disease, the claim has been remanded due to insufficient medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.